Revo Toro Winch – Final Review

I received the Revo Toro Winch made by Abu-Garcia back in the winter of this year.   Abu agreed to let me test this reel and give a very honest report on how it performed.  I wasn’t able to really put it to the test before I had to leave for the Queen Charlotte Islands.  Since I got back to the Island that reel has been used almost everyday on the river by myself and most of my guests.  The reel has realistically played nearly 100 fish in the last 45 days.   So, it has been fully tested and worked very hard in all conditions.  Here is my honest review of this reel:

- Styling – The look of the reel I find very appealing, it doesn’t have that bulky look that some level wind reels have.  The blue and silver are understated, which I prefer over the flashy red of the Abu 5500 series or the solid gold look of the Shimano Calcutta.  The gold star drag is nice touch on the Revo, as well as the Gold high lights inside the reel.

- Casting Ability – The casting was no different at all than any other level wind reel I have ever used.  What makes a huge difference on this reel over many others that I have used is the digital casting drag.  This is a small silver knob with a black indicating dot on it, and when you turn it left or right it clicks gently indication more drag or less drag which is applied to the spool during free spool.  This helps to prevent that nasty birds nest that you can get when casting a level wind reel.  This digital drag system is AWESOME.  I can set the perfect drag on the free spool regardless of what kind of lure or bait that I’m using.  This system is by far the BEST I have ever used and it made it possible for every one of my guests to learn to how to cast a level wind reel in minutes.

- Retrieve speed – The retrieve is about 20% slower than the Abu 5500 or 6500 series, many times I wished it retrieved faster. This being said,  you really notice the improved control you have over the fish.  The truth is you land more fish with the slower retrieve than with a faster retrieve.  This reel matched with 15lb Maxima mainline and 17lb Maxima leader, you will land any sized salmon in the river!

- Line capacity - Well there’s no problem there, 300 yards of 15lb Maxima on my Revo Toro Winch model 61.  Thats all the line you will ever need to play a salmon in the river or the ocean.

- Drag system - This is where the Revo Toro Winch really excels. Carbon Matrix Drag System that produces a whopping 22 pounds of drag force.  The star drag system on this reel is EXCELLENT.  Everytime you move the star drag the reel clicks gently.  The drag seems to have an infinite adjustability, very very fine adjustments can be made on the drag when playing a fish.  In fact, the drag has so much power it is the only level wind reel that I can completely stop with the drag alone while applying any amount of force.  For example, when you get snagged on the bottom of the river, you can simply lock down the drag and when you pull the rod back to break free from the under water obstruction, the reel will not move at all.  I have used a lot of reels, and the drag system is what separates the good reels from the great reels.  You only notice the difference when you are playing a fish.  When playing a fish, an average drag system will let out line in pulses when the fish runs, and not allow very fine drag adjustments. Whereas a great drag system will let out line smoothly when the fish runs away from you, and you can adjust the drag in very small increments to gain an advantage over a fish.

- The handle – My pet peeve are cheap handles on expensive reels.  I have had plenty of reels where the handle just eventually breaks off or the nut anchoring the handle strips its threads.  So whenever I purchase a reel I inspect the handle and the system that attaches the handle to reel, very closely.  I have no complaints with the Revo Toro Winches handle.  It is obviously made to last and is very comfortable to use.  The handle is offset from the reel, making the handle itself almost flush with the fishing rod.  It really reduced the profile it has on the rod, helps to keep the rod nicely balanced and prevents the rod from excessively twisting in my hands when reeling.

- affordability – $280 is the MSRP.  I think that you could pay a lot more for an equivalent reel and I know from experience that you can buy two or three cheaper level wind reels during the same time period that you owned one Revo Toro Winch.

- Conclusion – I am very glad that Abu-Garcia sent me this reel to test over the last year.  It is a well built quality reel, with zero issues during heavy use.  I have enjoyed using it, in fact during the guiding season for river salmon, it has been my #1 reel.  It can always be found in my hands or the hands of my guests.  I give this reel a 9 out of 10.

Here’s a video of my daughter catching Coho salmon using the Revo Toro Winch:

Tight lines,

Ian Barker

Category: Abu Garcia, BC, fishing gear, Product Review, reviews